Bollywood joins hand to support 26/11 victims Rs 1.15 crore raised in charity dinner and auction. Raising more than Rs 1.15 crore in aid of 2008 Mumbai terror victims, leading Bollywood celebrities participated in a fundraising dinner and auction organized by the London-based DVK Foundation to commemorate the first anniversary of tragic events of 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Held at The Royal Kensington Palace in London, the event witnessed top society and royalty joining hands with leading celebrities to support and contribute to restoring the lives of the families of the victims. More than 1.15 crore rupees were collected during the event, which was hosted by the acclaimed Indian film and television actor, Kabir Bedi and his daughter, actress Pooja Bedi.
Expressing his confidence on how Mumbai will continue to flourish despite the cowardly attack on India's financial capital last year, Kabir Bedi said, "The event is an affirmation of the human spirit that rises above dark tragedy and reaches for the light of compassion." A poetry tribute to the victims of 26/11 Mumbai by well-acclaimed director and producer Shekhar Kapur and a musical performance by Phantom of the Opera were some of the attractions of the night.
The fundraising gala saw celebrities participating in the auction conducted by Boman Irani, a leading India actor. A weekend on the plush Rueben family luxury 35m yacht went for £11,000 to Newton Faulkner, a British acoustic musician. A ticket to the Avatar movie premier with three-time Academy Award nominee American actress Sigourney Alexander Weaver in London was auctioned for £10,000.
Lords, Ladies, Princes, Princesses, Knights and renowned actors walked the red carpet. Welcomed by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Deputy Lord Mayor of London, Bollywood actors Arshad Warsi, Indian producer Sanjay Gupta, prominent socialite Parveen Dusanj, British underground artist - Goldie, Guinness heiress - Sabina Guinness and Nitin Ganatra were some of the other guests well-known guests present at the occassion
People of different faiths joined hands to express the sentiments of millions around the world. Rabbi Bentzi Sudak spoke for the lost Jewish lives in the Nariman centre, Mumbai. Prince Michael of Kent spoke about the fight against the war on terror and Deepak Kuntawala, founder of the DVK Foundation shared his personal account of how he escaped and saved 150 lives in the Taj Palace hotel in Mumbai. He shared his vision of the DVK Foundation promising to come to the aid of terror victims around the world. As a symbol of solidarity, guests and speakers stood together and paid minute's silent tribute to those who had lost their lives to the Mumbai 26/11 attacks.
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